These 4 statewide races have contested primaries in Delaware. Meet the candidates

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct Elias Weir's prior political experience and state Sen. Sarah McBride's current elected office.

With Delaware’s primary election two weeks away, what statewide races will be on the ballot?

Most Delawareans have been inundated by TV advertisements and mailers about the First State’s crowded gubernatorial race, which set the stage for a three-way Democratic and Republican primaries.

But statewide primary races are also set for Delaware's lone congressional seat, along with lieutenant governor and insurance commissioner offices.

Learn more about the races and find out who will be on the ballot Sept. 10 in this voters guide.

More: Who's running for office in Delaware? GOP chair drops out of governor race

Delaware congressional race

Since announcing her campaign for Delaware’s open Senate seat last year, the race to win U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester’s vacating congressional seat has changed considerably.

Businessman Earl Cooper, state Sen. Sarah McBride and financier Elias Weir are competing for the Democratic nomination, while Donyale Hall and John J. Whalen III vie for the Republican nomination.

Sarah McBride, Democrat

The first Democrat to announce her campaign this past spring, McBride intends to secure access to reproductive health care and general health care, enhance further protections for unions, improve access and affordability to child care and increase investment in attainable renewable energy.

If elected, McBride, who represents Claymont, would become the first trans person elected to federal office. She would also become the youngest elected member of Congress to represent the First State since President Joe Biden won a Senate seat in 1972.

In addition to an endorsement from the state Democratic Party, McBride has also received the support of several state officials, including Attorney General Kathy Jennings and state Treasurer – and former competitor – Colleen Davis, as well as Blunt-Rochester and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.

Earl Cooper, Democrat

In filing his candidacy earlier this summer, Wilmington businessman Earl Cooper has built his platform on committing to social change and development across the First State.

Cooper designed and launched the Housing Pilot Program, which helps residents achieve homeownership through “sweat equity,” as well as to improve citywide infrastructure, renovate local neighborhoods and create accessible and affordable living spaces.

Elias Weir, Democrat

The last Democratic candidate to file his bid for the role, Elias Weir, who previously ran for Delaware’s lone congressional seat in 2016.

A former representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 3, Weir’s prior experience includes working in finance and public safety.

Donyale Hall, Republican

Businesswoman and veteran Donyale Hall was the first Republican candidate to file her bid to represent Delaware, with the intent to create more well-paying jobs, help lower costs and inflation, strengthen public safety and fixing the statewide public education system, according to her campaign.

In addition to her past service in the U.S. Air Force, Hall also serves as the current president of the education and public policy-based organization Frederick Douglas Foundation, and previously served as a board member of the Friends of Delaware Veterans and a member of the City of Dover Police Chief’s Advisory Committee, among other roles.

John J. Whalen III, Republican

The last to file his candidacy, lifelong Delawarean and retired businessman John J. Whalen III seeks to expand national security and lower overall costs.

Before running a residential construction company, Whalen served in the state Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police, for over two decades.

Delaware governor's race

Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and former secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Collin O’Mara are vying for the Democratic line for governor. Jerrold R. Price, Delaware House Rep. Mike Ramone and Bridgeville businessman Bobby Williamson are running on the Republican line.

Collin O’Mara, Democrat

O’Mara, CEO of the nonprofit National Wildlife Federation, aims to increase support for working families and older residents, fix the statewide public education system and adopt "Green Amendment" cementing every First Stater’s right to clean water, air and land, according to his campaign website.

Despite facing two same-party candidates well known in First State politics, O’Mara told Spotlight Delaware he believes that there is still “opportunity for someone who is outside the system to fill the vacuum.”

O’Mara has received endorsements from several organizations and groups, including the Delaware Working Families Party, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and the National Resources Defense Council Action Fund, among others.

Matt Meyer, Democrat

Meyer, who has served as New Castle County executive since 2017, wants to focus on increasing access to housing and healthcare, expand public safety and raise funding for public schools across the state.

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In an interview with Spotlight Delaware, Meyer’s campaign team said his past experiences both as a businessman and a public school teacher, as well as his “successful track record” of addressing ongoing issues such as housing insecurity, public safety and quality of life as county executive demonstrate what he will bring to the role of governor.

Meyer has received endorsements from the American-Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee, former state chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party Erik Raser-Schramm and, more recently, LGBTQ+ and Democratic Party activist Peter Rosenstein and the editorial board from the newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Bethany Hall-Long, Democrat

Hall-Long has built her platform on advancing universal child care and early education and expanding the statewide workforce and access to affordable housing.

Despite facing challenges throughout the course of her campaign, Hall-Long said she remains dedicated to helping “continue to move Delaware forward.”

Hall-Long has served as the state’s lieutenant governor since 2017, after having spent a decade serving in both the state Senate and House of Representatives.

Since April, Hall-Long has received endorsements from numerous state officials, unions and organizations across the state, including current Gov. John Carney and the state Democratic Party.

Jerrold Price, Republican

Retired police officer Jerrold Price was the first Republican to announce his campaign in December 2023, intent on increasing the presence of law enforcement to combat violent crime, expanding rehabilitation programs and advocating for insurance reform.

A resident of Lewes, Price previously served as an officer in the New York Police Department, and has also served in the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.

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Mike Ramone, Republican

House Minority Leader Mike Ramone, who represents Pike Creek, has been in office since 2008.

A lifelong Delawarean and entrepreneur, Ramone's commitment as a state official remains "to help the community."

Ramone filed his candidacy in May and has been endorsed by the Delaware Republican Party.

Bobby Williamson, Republican

A third-generational Delawarean and businessman, Bobby Williamson launched his campaign early last month to promote the growth of small businesses, defend Second Amendment protections and promote alternative opportunities for education.

Williamson has also been an advocate for rehabilitating local communities and housing across the First State, as well as a proponent of "a positive 'hands-on' approach in community development," according to his campaign website.

Lieutenant governor's race

Three Democratic candidates are currently vying for lieutenant governor – all widely familiar across First State politics.

The candidates include state Sen. Kyle Evans Gay; state House Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker; and Debbie Harrington, a retired U.S. Army colonel and vice chair of the state Democratic Party.

Whoever wins the lieutenant governor’s race will then face off against Republican and former state Rep. Ruth Briggs King.

Sherry Dorsey Walker, Democrat

Dorsey Walker, who represents the city of Wilmington, has built her platform on providing further protections for both educators and students, expanding benefits for farmers and increasing economic opportunities for veterans, women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities.

Dorsey Walker said she believes that her experience in the state General Assembly and in public service have prepared her for taking on any and all challenges head-on.

“When people tell me things can’t be done, I literally show people what can be done through my faith,” she said.

Dorsey Walker previously ran for the position in 2016, but lost to Hall-Long in the primary election.

Kyle Evans Gay, Democrat

Gay, who represents northern Wilmington, then announced her run a few months later, intending to increase funds for early education, criminal justice reform and improve residents’ access to quality healthcare.

Gay said she intends to lead the charge in tackling these and other “systemic issues” facing Delaware, and in “ensuring equity underlines all” she and fellow legislators do to better the lives of all First Staters.

Gay has also received the state Democratic Party’s endorsement.

Debbie Harrington, Democrat

Announcing her campaign a few weeks after Gay, Harrington has prioritized community resources for mental health, building “a responsive system of support” for residents with disabilities and providing further resources to veterans throughout the state.

If elected, Dorsey Walker or Harrington would become the first Black woman in the state to serve in the role.

Insurance commissioner’s race

The same two Democrats will again face off for state insurance commissioner in the September primary.

Incumbent Trinidad Navarro has served as the state’s 26th insurance commissioner since 2016, and won reelection 2020 after being challenged by Democrat Kayode Abegunde.

The two will square off again Sept. 10.

Trinidad Navarro, Democrat

Navarro said his campaign is focused on the future and on further protections for consumers, including providing long-term care and overall assistance with narrowing down – and ultimately determining – insurance benefits.

Before becoming insurance commissioner, Navarro served for two decades in the New Castle County Police Department and was elected as the New Castle County sherriff in 2010.

Navarro's campaign has also been endorsed by the state Democratic Party.

Kayode Abegunde, Democrat

Abegunde hopes to further address the ongoing issue of redlining – when loans and other financial services are denied to residents based on race, ethnicity or place of residence – in insurance coverage across the First State, pledging to “close the gap” and create “equal opportunity for everyone.”

Abegunde is also a member of the New Castle County's Financial Advisory Council, and has previous experience in accounting, finance and social services.

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at [email protected], or by calling or texting 302-598-5507. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. Reach her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Voters guide: Governor, Congress & other top Delaware primary races